Age may bring wisdom but the downside to this is a tendency to forget things more easily but when this situation worsens, it may be a case of dementia. Other changes in mental functions are involved which can mean it is difficult to carry out everyday tasks in addition to problems with an erratic memory.
The problem with dementia is that it is not a condition that affects us overnight but creeps up on us slowly so it may take some time to diagnose the problem and because it is not an illness in itself but a group of related symptoms, it needs to be treated as such. Sometimes though it is possible to treat dementia because whatever has caused it can be treated and there are even occasions where although the person may appear to be suffering with dementia, it is in fact depression that can have similar symptoms. Owing to the number of different conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, it means that there are occasions where it can be treated and sometimes it might not even be dementia but a condition that mimics the symptoms like severe depression.
To provide an example of this type of situation; people can show signs of dementia through using drugs, drink and even the hormones can play a part, which shows the importance early diagnosis will play especially as in many of these circumstances, the condition can be partially or completely rectified. It is now believed that short term or temporary dementia can be caused by at least one hundred other conditions and while the number of treatable dementia cases is only one in ten, the doctor needs to be fully aware of the circumstances so an opportunity to treat the patient is not overlooked.
Dementia in the elderly can take on two different forms; reversible and chronic so when symptoms are reversible, the short-term dementia has been caused by another illness or disease. Often, older people have as many changes in their lives as do those of the young and they are not always able to deal with them effectively especially the big changes like a move or death of someone close like a partner. Events like this often distress the person involved and lead to stress or depression, both of which their physician needs to know about.
The elderly also suffer from many other conditions which tend to affect us more as we age and can affect many things we take for granted like a good night's sleep, healthy appetite, mental attitude and even our general happiness. Of course, medical conditions like hypoglycemia, liver and kidney problems, electrolyte imbalances and hypocalcaemia can all create problems that affect sleep, appetite and cause confusion. Some older citizens do not realize their vision or hearing is deteriorating as it is happening over a protracted period of time and this can lead to confusion about where they are and especially when someone is talking to them so regular eye and hearing checks can make a big difference.
The elderly also suffer with nutritional problems often caused by problems with taste, poorly fitting dentures even to general eating problems, all of which will affect behavior and provide dementia like symptoms. Along with this, any other form of dementia which includes Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, to name a couple, must also be considered.
The only way to fully diagnose dementia is by using modern scanning techniques which may also help when searching for treatable conditions as well. The main difference when it is a case of irreversible dementia is the need for adjustments to be made where the person lives to avoid situations that are dangerous but continuous training in behavior methods should also be carried out.
The problem with dementia is that it is not a condition that affects us overnight but creeps up on us slowly so it may take some time to diagnose the problem and because it is not an illness in itself but a group of related symptoms, it needs to be treated as such. Sometimes though it is possible to treat dementia because whatever has caused it can be treated and there are even occasions where although the person may appear to be suffering with dementia, it is in fact depression that can have similar symptoms. Owing to the number of different conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, it means that there are occasions where it can be treated and sometimes it might not even be dementia but a condition that mimics the symptoms like severe depression.
To provide an example of this type of situation; people can show signs of dementia through using drugs, drink and even the hormones can play a part, which shows the importance early diagnosis will play especially as in many of these circumstances, the condition can be partially or completely rectified. It is now believed that short term or temporary dementia can be caused by at least one hundred other conditions and while the number of treatable dementia cases is only one in ten, the doctor needs to be fully aware of the circumstances so an opportunity to treat the patient is not overlooked.
Dementia in the elderly can take on two different forms; reversible and chronic so when symptoms are reversible, the short-term dementia has been caused by another illness or disease. Often, older people have as many changes in their lives as do those of the young and they are not always able to deal with them effectively especially the big changes like a move or death of someone close like a partner. Events like this often distress the person involved and lead to stress or depression, both of which their physician needs to know about.
The elderly also suffer from many other conditions which tend to affect us more as we age and can affect many things we take for granted like a good night's sleep, healthy appetite, mental attitude and even our general happiness. Of course, medical conditions like hypoglycemia, liver and kidney problems, electrolyte imbalances and hypocalcaemia can all create problems that affect sleep, appetite and cause confusion. Some older citizens do not realize their vision or hearing is deteriorating as it is happening over a protracted period of time and this can lead to confusion about where they are and especially when someone is talking to them so regular eye and hearing checks can make a big difference.
The elderly also suffer with nutritional problems often caused by problems with taste, poorly fitting dentures even to general eating problems, all of which will affect behavior and provide dementia like symptoms. Along with this, any other form of dementia which includes Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, to name a couple, must also be considered.
The only way to fully diagnose dementia is by using modern scanning techniques which may also help when searching for treatable conditions as well. The main difference when it is a case of irreversible dementia is the need for adjustments to be made where the person lives to avoid situations that are dangerous but continuous training in behavior methods should also be carried out.
